Arsenal started life after Adebayor with a cruising victory against SC Columbia after the home side took a shocking lead through an Almunia blunder.

The Gunners were dominating proceeding in the early stages of the game by creating a host of chances. Andrei Arshavin, Diaby, Bendtner and Aaron Ramsey all saw their shots fly just wide of the post.

Arsenal were dominating so much possession that the home side were pegged back inside their half and rarely looks to threaten until they countered attack. On this attack, Silvestre who thought had covered back, played the ball back to Almunia who was too slow to adjust his feet and hit the ball straight onto the onrushing Lehner who slid in to rebound the ball into an empty net.

But the Gunners were quick to respond as the monstrous Diaby drove his way from midfield into the flank before squaring to Nicklas Bendtner who could not miss the goal and draw the away side level. Arsenal went up a gear and Russian playmaker Arshavin found Ramsey, who drove the ball into the bottom corner from 18 yards out. The young Welshman had worked tirelessly hard by winning the ball back constantly, then capped an impressive first half when he combined with Bendtner, the Dane went around the goalkeeper to score his second of the game and put Arsenal firmly in charge at half time.

Early in the second half, a much changed Arsenal side came out and completed the rout. Robin Van Persie grabbed a brace after finishing neatly from the penalty spot and then headed in Sagna’s cross twenty minutes from time. Armand Traore ran the flanks non stop; winning numerous corners for Arsenal. One of them proved decisive as the delivery was not cleared properly and Senderos headed the ball back into the mix, only for William Gallas to head into the net.

The home side had given up and were put under immense pressure as more chances were created by an inspiring Arsenal team. Aaron Ramsey completed the rout when he curled in his second of the game before the referee ended the game early to avoid any further embarrassment to the home team.